Strengthening iwi involvement in decision making

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

CO-GOVERNANCE between Turanga iwi and the Gisborne District Council in regard to local authority decision-making will be discussed at a local leadership body symposium in Gisborne tomorrow.

The symposium will look into New Zealand’s post-Treaty of Waitangi settlement environment, and will highlight that a key form of cultural redress is to strengthen iwi involvement in local authority decision-making — particularly the sustainable management of natural and physical resources.

The hui will discuss the objectives of the Local Leadership Board, which is a result of Treaty settlement legislation, specifically the Ngai Tamanuhiri Claims Settlement Act 2012.

The LLB comprises six iwi representatives — two each from Ngai Tamanuhiri, Rongowhakaata and Te Aitanga a Mahaki — with six representatives from the council (the Mayor and five councillors.)

GDC and Turanga iwi have been working throughout the year to establish the LLB by next month.

The symposium will include presentations from three iwi local authority co-governance models.

Co-chairman of Ngati Pahauwera Development Trust Toro Waaka will speak on the Hawke’s Bay Regional Planning Committee and the co-management of natural resources of Ngati Pahauwera (Mohaka area).

Co-management of the Waikato River catchment will also be a feature with presentations from Waikato Regional Council deputy chairman Tipa Mahuta and Marae Tukere, who is co-chairman of Waiora Healthy Rivers Plan Change Co-Governance Committee.

Sir Wira Gardiner, chairman of the Local Government Commission, will provide a summary and response after these presentations.

The hui will run from 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Emerald Hotel.?

The symposium will be live-streamed on the council’s website.